Why studying in the classroom is a better way to learn counselling skills
Thanks to the availability of information spanning a range of topics on the internet, it’s never been easier to learn new things. You might think then that the days of classroom learning are quickly becoming old fashioned, and to an extent you might be right. Why travel to study in a classroom in an age where working from home is becoming more common? One exception to this trend is when we think about jobs that require us to interact with other people face-to-face. In other words, when learning interpersonal skills is fundamental to what we want to do.
Arguably the best example of a job where interpersonal skills are vital is counselling. Clients rely on counsellors to listen to them, understand the issue at heart, communicate effectively, and help them address the issue. Sometimes this means being compassionate and empathetic, but it can at times mean counsellors challenge clients in a supportive and constructive way. Being able to recognise which approach is most appropriate is a skill in and of itself, and, like a lot of the skills needed to be an effective counsellor, one that is hard to learn from a textbook.

What can’t I learn from lectures and readings?

Readings and lectures, which you can access anywhere, are a great way to learn what’s known as declarative knowledge. This refers to facts and things that fall under a “What is” category. On the other hand, procedural knowledge refers to things that fall under a “How to” category. Take, for example, learning to drive. In Australia, the first step is to acquire declarative knowledge regarding the road rules. Once you have demonstrated this and are legally allowed to get behind the wheel, you can then begin to acquire procedural knowledge. That is, how to actually drive a car. This sort of knowledge can only be acquired by actually doing the thing you are trying to learn.
Learning to become a counsellor is very similar. There are aspects of both declarative and procedural knowledge. For example, you will need to learn some of the theories of personality development (declarative), and how to apply these in a counselling relationship (procedural). While you can learn the declarative knowledge from a textbook, you can only develop the procedural knowledge by actually doing it and experiencing what it feels like. This can be especially important when learning how to have difficult conversations with clients. A classroom provides a safe environment to acquire, develop, and practice these skills so that you have a well-rounded education.

Why is it better to learn around others?

Learning alongside others provides a host of benefits that complement and enhance the educational experience. For one thing, the people in your class provide social support and assistance with the learning material. In the context of a counselling course, your classmates will help you role-play and simulate scenarios that you might face in practice. Later on, your classmates will form part of your professional network, exposing you to opportunities for work and professional development. Finally, your classmates will provide perspectives that you might not have considered, ask questions that you might not think to ask, and help you explore ethical and legal considerations through discussion.

Why is it especially important for counselling?

Counselling is heavily dependent on the ability of the counsellor to engage with the client using interpersonal skills. This means being able to make the client feel comfortable talking about their problems, exploring these issues by facilitating a two-way discussion, demonstrating empathy, challenging effectively, and involving the client to create a way forward. It is difficult (some might say impossible) to acquire and fine-tune these necessary skills, such as listening and probing with questions, by yourself.
While some counselling is delivered over the phone, the majority is still delivered face-to-face. This environment brings a range of unique factors into play, such as your body language. Learning and practicing these skills in an environment that allows interaction with other people is vitally important to prepare you for working with clients.
4. How does having face-to-face access to the trainer enhance my learning?
In addition to putting you in a room with other learners, the classroom gives you face-to-face access to a trainer. This provides the opportunity for you to ask questions and get clarification on anything that you might not pick up straight away. Having the confidence that you understand the material as you progress through a course is really important for maintaining motivation and enthusiasm. Being able to check things over with the trainer and ask questions to enhance your understanding is a great way to get that confidence.
The trainers in counselling courses are counsellors themselves, and being able to interact with them makes it a lot easier to learn from their experience and get a clear idea of what it’s like to work in this area. Having practical expertise also makes them the best people to provide you with immediate feedback on your own counselling skills. Being in a classroom environment where you can role-play scenarios provides a fantastic opportunity to hone your skills in the presence of practitioners who will guide your development.

What are the long-term benefits of classroom learning?

The classroom provides a safe environment to practice techniques and experiment with different approaches while getting expert feedback. Learning by experience in this way is very effective, and a great way to prepare yourself to use these skills in the real world. Knowledge that we acquire by doing things is easier to recall, and stays with us longer, than knowledge acquired through reading. This is particularly important when we make the transition from learning in the classroom to practising in the counselling room.
Becoming a counsellor is a rewarding and fulfilling way to help others, either in a professional or personal capacity. The best way to learn the skills you need to be effective is via experts in a classroom environment, surrounded by like-minded people!
Sally Healey, CEO of Jigsaw Training Group